My Dad Bowled in a Beer Commercial (1969)
by Chris Hardwick on April 2, 2009
My dad, Billy Hardwick, was one of the greatest professional bowlers of all time. Believe it or not, in the 60s that was actually a pretty cool thing. This was the first beer commercial done by a professional athlete (yes, bowlers are athletes) and IT IS AWESOME. After this, though, they mandated that only retired athletes could do them so that it wouldn’t send the wrong message, like “Drinking makes you a champion.”
The 6-7 split he picks up the commercial was one he had picked up the day before to win a tournament. Apparently, the shot in the commercial was the second take.
My favorite tidbit about this is by far that fact that he was supposed to have lines and then take a swig, but quickly got too hammered after several takes. Lucy Ricardo’s “Vitameatavegemin” sketch actually happened to someone, and that someone was my dad.
My other favorite thing are the Bowery Boys schmoes in the background and their “Heeeeeeey Buddy!” reactions. Top to bottom, I love this commercial. How many of us get to see our parents in action in their prime? Cool stuff.
And yes, at one point in my young life I thought about being a professional bowler. Weird, huh?
Groovy and memorable indeed! Another reason to be proud of the old papa!
This was cool, I heard you talking about it on Adam Carolla’s podcast. I’m glad you posted it!
You look just like your dad, and that’s a good thing!
What a cool video, thanks for sharing!
Miller High Life – The Champagne of Beers!
That was pretty cool. Definitely.
I was just listening to you on Bob and Tom you were talking about your pops and the bowling commercial so I got on your site to see it, pretty cool the way respect your dad. I think its great your right it is cool to see your parents being cool in there day. You must be proud to be his son and he to be your Dad.
Very cool!! My Dad was a very good amatuer bowler I am was even proud of that. I can only imagine how proud you must be of your Dad.
bowling kicks ass, so automatically your dad is awesome, at least your dad didnt join a major rock band & quit right before they went to japan and got all famous like mine, yeeahhh…. but anyway you look just like your dad & if he’s this awesome then your 10x more awesome.
great commercial and you look a lot like your dad